photos by Brook Bobbins

Okay, so everyone advertised did perform. But it sure was a nail-biter. Lauryn Hill, the eccentric erstwhile Fugee who has mostly stayed out of sight since her lone solo album, 1998's still-scintillating R&B masterpiece "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," was clearly the lineup's chief curiosity. When it comes to her behavior over the past decade there's been no rumor too bizarre to believe. Sunday's rumor was a doozy, and it was true -- she really was three hours late to the stage because she was getting a manicure-pedicure. Suddenly, the attempt by her former band mate Wyclef Jean to become president of Haiti doesn't seem quite so self-centered.

As her 4:30 start time approached, the elaborate stage plot was ready to go. And then . . . nothing. A 10-minute wait became a half-hour, which became a full hour. Scattered heckles became heavy boos as the stage was broken down at 5:30... Her toenails apparently dry, Lauryn Hill [finally performed later], but she probably shouldn't have bothered. The performance was a messy rush through highlights from "Miseducation," but they were hardly recognizable due to her hoarse voice, speedy delivery and clunky, overstuffed arrangements. Hill wasn't lacking for energy, just focus. The feedback on her microphone was ear-splitting; special guest Nas came out for a 45-second cameo, and his microphone wasn't working for half of it. After 20 minutes she departed to an equal mix of cheers and boos, seemingly oblivious as to why anyone might be upset.

...As headliner Snoop Dogg's stage props were assembled -- that would be a large video screen and a park bench covered in 40s in brown paper bags -- and the clock began ticking toward the venue's 11 p.m. curfew, the chatter started again. As a general rule of thumb, chatter at hip-hop shows is not a good thing. Where's Snoop? He was in New York performing at a Michael Jackson tribute show earlier in the day and at 10:45 p.m. was nowhere to be seen. Boos, again.

He did finally emerge, wearing what seemed to be your grandmother's old kitchen tablecloth and performed a truncated version of his iconic gangsta rap album "Doggystyle."... He mostly stayed true to character, never smiling -- maybe he was too focused reading his lyrics off teleprompters -- but his listless performance gave off the vibe that he'd rather be somewhere else. Like, New York. Snoop drawled over the atomic G-funk of "What's My Name?" as the house lights went on -- the venue's not-so-subtle way of saying, "It's time for you to go now." It's hard to think Snoop minded too much. -[Washington Post]

I was wondering if Snoop's afternoon appearance in Prospect Park was really a good idea. There were significantly less complaints from the Rock the Bells show that happened one day earlier on Governors Island in NYC. Lauryn was only 30 minutes late.

Pictures from Rock the Bells NYC HERE, HERE, and a third set continued (we don't have pictures from DC), below...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells DC didn't go so smooth ++ more pics from NYC"

photos by Eric Townsend, words by BBG

"Can't NOBODY FUCK WITH A TRIBE CALLED QUEST LIVE! ROCK THE BELLS NYC WAS MAGIC!" -Carringtonworld

"#np tribe called quest-steve biko(stir it up)....what yall know about #RocktheBells 2010 live from nyc huh? -"NotoriousDIZZ"

"Some of my rap top 10 will be live on stage: slick rick, lauryn hill, wu tang, rakim, krs one, tribe called quest. nYc represent, represent" -LeRoyLive

A Tribe Called Quest on Governors Island Saturday

Linden boulevard represent, represent
Tribe called quest represent, represent
When the mic is in my hand, I'm never hesitant
My favourite jam back in the day was "Eric B. is President"
-[A Tribe Called Quest - "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)"]

Both A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, and the songs "Steve Biko" AND "Eric B Is President" were showcased at Saturday's Rock The Bells event at Randall's Island as the crews showcased their classic LPs Midnight Marauders and Paid In Full respectively. The two Hip Hop legends were part of a much larger whopper of a show that also showcased Wu-Tang Clan's Enter The 36 Chambers, Snopp Dogg's Doggy Style, Slick Rick's The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, KRS-One performing Criminal-Minded, as well as performances from Lauryn Hill, Jedi Mind Tricks, Brother Ali, Wiz Khalifa, and many many others. On the paparazzi tip, celebs were out in full force to check out the show as well as Jay-Z, Chris Rock, John Legend (who performs at Bowery Ballroom tonight), newlywed couple Alicia Keys/Swizz Beatz, Mary J Blige, and many many others were all spotted at the shindig (some snaps are below).

More pictures (and video) from the show are HERE and below (, and one more set still on the way)...

Continue reading "Rock the Bells @ Governors Island - pics & video (part 1) (A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Rakim & more) "

by BBG

Rock The Bells 2010? Um, awesome.

For the first time in the history of hip-hop entertainment, ROCK THE BELLS is slated to have headliners perform their most influential albums in their entirety. East-coast legends Wu-Tang Clan will perform Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers from beginning to end. Released in 1993, the group's debut album revived the New York rap scene and is widely-regarded as one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history. Considered one of the greatest MC's of all time, Rakim is set to perform 1987's, Paid In Full, his first full-length album with Eric B. Fellow Golden age, east coast rapper, Slick Rick will conquer The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. Released in 1989, this debut album became a certified-platinum classic topping the Billboard's Top R&B/ Hip Hop Albums charts. Highly regarded as the "THE TEACHER", KRS-One is a hip hop culture advocate, music producer, MC and published author. Hailed as one of the best live performers, KRS-One will perform [the Boogie Down Productions classic LP] Criminal Minded. The 1987 trend-setting album sampled music from various genres including rock, reggae and funk.

In addition to that drooler of a hip hop lineup, Rock The Bells will also feature a rotating cast of also-awesomes, depending on where you lay your head. Lineups haven't been solidified by city but look for appearances from Street Sweeper Social Club, Murs and 9th Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Clipse, Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks, Brother Ali, DJ Muggs and Ill Bill, Big Sean, Yelawolf, and more TBA (but not Lauryn Hill).

So far only four festival dates have been released, LA (8/21), San Fran (8/22), NYC at Governors Island (8/28), and DC (8/29). Ticket info is forthcoming.

by BBG

Brother Ali with Rakim in 2009

Brother Ali is going back on tour this spring and he hits NYC again, this time with Fashawn and BK One for a show at Knitting Factory on April 15th. Tickets are on sale. All tour dates are below.

The NYC show comes one month after Fashawn makes an appearance at the Nah Right/The Smoking Section Day Party at Rumbler Lounge at Peckerheads in Austin on 3/20 during SXSW. There Fashawn will intersect with Freeway & Jake One (who just played Highline with Brother Ali), J.Cole, Pac Div, Wiz Khalifa, Freddie Gibbs (who is playing the Pitchfork Festival), Pill, Diz Gibran, and many others. Nah Right has more details.

One of those performers, Wiz Khalifa, will headline Irving Plaza on March 26th as part of a larger tour for Deal or No Deal, his album that dropped late last year. Tickets are on sale, full dates are below.

Another performer from the Nah Right/Smoking Section party, J Cole, is the current cover boy of The Source and one of XXL's "Top 10 Freshmen". J will also play NYC as part of Hot 97's Who'w Next Live at SOB's on March 30. Tickets are still available.

One man who is no stranger to the covers of XXL and The Source, Juelz Santana, is scheduled to play NYC on March 22nd with Maino. Tickets are on sale.

Full Brother Ali & Wiz Khalifa dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Brother Ali tour dates & other hip shows in NYC & Austin"

We'll get a more complete press release in the morning (and confirm what is listed below is 100% correct), but in the meantime below is a picture of the 2010 Sasquatch poster (that someone Tweeted) and the lineup as read by Bradford Cox at tonight's Atlas Sound show in Seattle (and being listed all over the Internet)....

Continue reading "Sasquatch announces 2010 lineup (includes Massive Attack & My Morning Jacket) (and many more) "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Brother Ali - "Us" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Freeway - "Freezer's Back" (Freestyle, MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Freeway - "Know What I Mean" (MP3)

Brother Ali

Brother Ali, whose new album Us was released late last year (title track above), has been added to the Freeway & Jake One shows at the Trocadero on 2/15 and at Highline Ballroom on 2/16. Highline tickets are still available. The shows are in celebration of Freeway/Jake One's new LP, The Stimulus Package.

Brother Ali, Freeway, Jake One, and a good portion of the Rhymesayers crew will also play a benefit for Haiti in Minneapolis on 2/9. Following those shows, and the Stimulus release parties, Brother Ali will jet out to Europe for a string of dates with BK-One.

All dates, the "Us" video,and a Jake One video featuring Freeway and Brother Ali, below...

Continue reading "Brother Ali added to Freeway shows - 2010 Tour Dates"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Freeway - Know What I Mean (MP3)

On Feb 9th, Rhymesayers will band together a gang of notable MCs on their home turf (Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue) in honor of Rhymesayers Presents: A Benefit For Haiti. Along for the ride are Brother Ali, Sage Francis, Freeway, I Self Devine and others, with the entire event hosted by head Rhymesayer himself, Slug. Tickets are on sale.

Freeway is also on board for another charitable look at Haiti. He is one of a few notable MCs who have joined on for HipHopDX Presents... Hip Hop Helps Haiti. The mixtape features tracks from MCs like Raekwon, Skyzoo, JR Writer, Ras Kass and many others. The mixtape is free, but it's host Hip Hop DX, is accepting charitable donations towards the devastation in Haiti. Give and give big people. Cop that mixtape here.

Exactly one week after that Haiti benefit in Minneapolis (2/16), Freeway & Jake One will tear down Highline Ballroom in NYC with Joell Ortiz. Tickets are on sale. The show is one of three dates that Freeway has around the release date of his new album with Jake One, The Stimulus Package - out 2/16 on Rhymesayers. Cover art and an MP3 from the album above.

All Freeway tour dates and a few videos, including the new-ish video for the same song linked above, below....

Continue reading "new Freeway & Jake One album - MP3, video, tour dates & a Rhymesayers Haiti benefit in Minneapolis"

The Beets @ Woodsist/CT Fest 7/4 (more by Tim Griffin)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Rev. Vince Anderson @ Union Pool
* Monday Night Burlesque @ Public Assembly
* Jemina Pearl @ Mercury Lounge
* Ambulance Ltd., Savoir Adore @ Union Hall
* Les Paul Trio w/ Bucky Pizzarelli @ Iridium
* Brendan Benson, Sean Bones @ Bowery Ballroom
* Benevento/Russo Duo, Jeff Bujak @ Highline Ballroom
* Whiplash w/ David Cross, Ted Alexandro @ UCB Theatre
* Brave Combo, Corn Mo & The .357 Lover @ The Bell House
* Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton & The New Breed @ Wingate Field
* Bad Blood, Stupid Party, Special Noise, Angels Of America @ Don Pedro
* Precious Metal w/ Liturgy, Lightning Swords of Death, Bastard Sapling, Agrath @ Lit
* Falling Down w/ Ali Wong, Todd Barry, Dave Hill, Hannibal Buress @ Bruar Falls
* Small Beast w/ Paul Wallfisch, Bliss Blood, Curtis Eller, Larry Bang Bang @ Delancey
* The Virgins, The Beets, Dinowalrus, Teengirl Fantasy, Animal Collective (DJ), JDH & Dave P (DJ) @ Santos

Free outdoor music tonight includes a show with Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton & The New Breed at Wingate Field.

The Virgins, The Beets, Dinowalrus and Teengirl Fantasy play a benefit for Cinema Nolita at Santos with Animal Collective and FIXED's JDH & Dave P DJing.

Ambulance Ltd. and Savoir Adore, who play the Mercury Lounge tomorrow, gig at Union Hall tonight. Those shows and more are part of an early edition of This Week In Indie.

Rev. Vince Anderson continues his weekly residency at Union Pool.

Brendan Benson kicks off his new-album-supporting tour at the Bowery Ballroom with Sean Bones.

The Highline Pianos series opens with sets from Benevento/Russo Duo and Jeff Bujak.

Les Paul Trio honors its recently-passed leader by playing with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli at the Iridium.

Monthly comedy showcase Falling Down has a show at Bruar Falls with Ali Wong, Todd Barry, Dave Hill, Hannibal Buress and more. UCB's Whiplash hosts David Cross, Aparna Nancherla and Ted Alexandro.

Hercules and Love Affair played two NYC over the weekend. Antony and The Johnsons put out a video for their cover of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," posted below.

"Fresh Air," the first single off Brother Ali's forthcoming Rhymesayers LP Us, is posted below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Guilty Simpson & Madlib - "Coroner's Music" (MP3)

'Coroner's Music' off O.J. Simpson

Before we go any further, no, Mr. Bloody Glove has not released a solo record. Yet. (More on that below). BUT, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz is prepping his. Vinnie Paz recently dropped the early-Wu-tastic single "Drag You To Hell" which is currently streamable here and available via iTunes here. The track comes from his upcoming solo LP The Assassin's Creed, which features appearances from Beanie Sigel, Clipse, and Freeway as well as production by Madlib, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Da Beatminerz, and 4th Disciple (Wu-Tang) among others.

Jedi Mind Tricks will hit the road in mid August for a west-midwest-east tour with Esoteric (of 7L & Esoteric) and Reef the Lost Cauze that includes an NYC show at Highline Ballroom on 9/13 and a show on L.I. at Crazy Donkey the night before. Tickets for Highline are on sale.

Speaking of Madlib, the Beat Konducta has announced his collaboration with Guilty Simpson for an album named, er, OJ Simpson (Madlib's real name is Otis Jackson). The new track "Coroner's Music" (available above) comes from an LP due on the mighty Stones Throw this fall (and a 12" that is out now), and features Strong Arm Steady, Elzhi (of the recently reunited Slum Village who played Rock the Bells at Jones Beach on July 19th), as well as cuts from the great J.Rocc.

Speaking of Rock the Bells (and Wu-Tang),

Between the end of Wu's set and the beginning of Slaughterhouse's, Method Man and Joe Budden were seen walking together in the parking lot. The two took their time quashing the beef.

When Slaughterhouse, which also includes Royce da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Crooked I, took the stage, they publicly announced the end of the short-term feud.

"It will never be a beef with Wu-Tang clan," Royce said. He then revealed the convo between Meth and Budden, saying the situation was "squashed." [MTV]

Ghostface, Redman & Method Man play Nokia Theatre in NYC on July 30th.

Annnnnd while we're on the subject, Evidence (who performed At Jones Beach with The Alchemist as Step Brothers) will hit the road this coming fall with Brother Ali, BK One and Toki Wright for a US tour in celebration of Brother Ali's new LP on Rhymesayers, US. Evidence recently signed with Rhymesayers, and will release Cats & Dogs via the label in 2010. The Alchemist's new album, Chemical Warfare, is out NOW and features appearances from Kool G Rap, Eminem, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep - recorded before he hit the lock-up I'm assuming) and many others.

The NYC Brother Ali date is November 7th at Irving Plaza. Tickets for the whole tour are now on presale. All dates below.

Founders of the Rhymesayers crew, Atmosphere are on tour, and hit Webster Hall in NYC TONIGHT (7/27).

Stones Throw badass Peanut Butter Wolf is scheduled to perform at All Points West this weekend (July 31 - Aug 2). Jay-Z, KOOL Keith, Q-Tip, Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Cool Kids and others will also be part of the Jersey City festivities.

Esoteric of 7L & Esoteric will release his solo debut Saving Seamus Ryan on 9/22 featuring appearances by Masta Ace and DJ Premier.

Video of Step Brothers @ Rock The Bells, as well as all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "OJ Simpson (Madlib+Guilty), Jedi Mind Tricks, Brother Ali, Atmosphere & other hip hop news (with tour dates) "

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Common Market - "Back Home (The Return)" (MP3)

Man, Cleopatra Jones!

They reunited & toured, played a $7 show with Ghostface and The Alchemist, and now Digable Planets are preparing to hit the road again, including a date at Highline Ballroom in NYC on April 1st. Tickets are on sale. All dates below.

Joining the Creamy Spies for the trek, Seattle's Common Market, who released their album Tobacco Road in 2008 which includes "Back Home (The Return)" available for download above. Before CM hits the road with Digable, look for them at SXSW at one of two places: The Back Alley Social on March 18 with Brother Ali, The Grouch & Eligh, and Zion I, and at Palm Door on March 21 with Past Lives & Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. Full Common Market dates, with Digable and without, below.

Zion I

Speaking of Zion I, the critically acclaimed duo dropped The TakeOver on Feb 17. It's the follow-up to their 2006 collabo record with The Grouch (but not Eligh), Heroes In The City Of Dope. Check out a video of the duo discussing that record on LBTV (as in Lyrics Born TV) below. Full Zion I tour dates below too.

Meanwhile, The Grouch and Eligh are prepping their new record, Say G&E! due on April 7th. Say G&E! features production by Flying Lotus, Rick Rock and others, as well as guest appearances by Sage Francis, Slug, and Gift Of Gab of Blackalicious. The Grouch & Eligh are part of the LA based Living Legends crew with MURS. G&E, as well as the entire Living Legends crew, will team up at The Paid Dues Festival in San Bernardino, CA on Mar 28 with Cage (who has a new album coming), Brother Ali, Eyedea & Abilities, Atmosphere, B-Real, and many others.

Dates and video below...

Continue reading "Digable Planets, Common Market, The Grouch & Eligh, Zion I - Tour Dates, albums, SXSW & an MP3"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Brother Ali - Truth Is (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Brother Ali - Original King (MP3)

"People think I'm in the independent category by choice."

Brother Ali is a minority, but not in the ways you might expect. First, he's a white rapper in a genre filled with mostly black artists. Second, Brother Ali is an albino.

Ali, who was born Jason Newman, converted to Islam when he was 15. He says that he felt like an outsider among white people, and has never identified with the word "white."

"I was taken in, early on, by black folks," he says. "Those are the people who taught me the things that I needed to know to survive being who and what I am." [NPR]

Brother Ali came up in the same midwest hip hop scene that birthed fellow indie b-boy and Rhymesayers co-owner Slug, making a name for himself through his self-produced and self-released debut Rites Of Passage. On the strength of Rites, Ali signed to Rhymesayers and dropped Shadows On The Sun, followed by the Champion EP and ultimately The Undisputed Truth in 2007. He's not strictly a "booth" rhymer either. He battled and triumphed over freestyle champ and Rhymesayers MC Eyedea at Scribble 2000, and he has logged more than 500 shows on four continents.

Brother Ali will be back in NYC to play a free show at South Street Seaport on Friday, August 1st (8 pm) with notorious DJ Crew The Rub (7 pm). We cornered Ali for a moment before that show as he dropped two pennies on working with Rhymesayers go-to guy Ant, the follow-up to The Undisputed Truth, and why he thinks 50 Cent is ill.

---

BrooklynVegan: Ant has produced each of your last few records. Is there something about Ant's production that you feel complements your own style/flow? Are there any plans on working with any other producers and if so, who?

Brother Ali: Ant and I have been working together for several years and he's one of my closest friends. Not only do I love his beats but we share a similar outlook on music and life. He's a true producer in the sense that he sees elements of the people he works with as human beings and creates musical beds that allow those things to come out in the work. He has an ability to read people and help them present themselves in a really raw and personal way. There are other producers that I like and respect but I just can't believe that I could have the same creative chemistry with someone I don't really know.

interview continued below...

Continue reading "an interview with BROTHER ALI + 2 MP3s & a free show"

"The Truth Is Here tour featuring Brother Ali, Abstract Rude, Toki Wright and BK-One kicks off February 29th in Madison, Wisconsin and weaves its way through the lower forty-eight and ends in Chicago, Illinois on March 31st."

Dates Below....

Continue reading "Brother Ali & Abstract Rude 'Truth Is Here' Tour Dates"

Ted Leo @ Highline Ballroom, NYC - Jan 15, 2008 (Tod Seelie)

Santogold @ Studio B, Brooklyn, NY - Jan 16, 2008 (Mel D. Cole)

Eagles of Death Metal, Brother Ali, and Ted Leo played a SPIN magazine party at Highline Ballroom on Tuesday night, and then Santogold, Izza Kizza, and Switch played a FADER party at Studio B on Wednesday.

Mel D. Cole was at Fader - on stage, backstage, and in the crowd. He was at Spin too. More photos of Ted Leo by Tod Seelie @ Flickr, and a review of the SPIN party at Dfactor.

Photos of the SPIN party by Bao Nguyen, below too....

Continue reading "FADER & SPIN had parties, Santogold & Ted Leo played"

Do you want to go see Brother Ali at Knitting Factory in NYC tonight (May 3)? E-mail BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM right now. The first person to enter gets a pair of tickets on the list. Include your full name.

Brother Ali @ Coachella 2007

Lupe Fiasco @ Coachella 2007

Last Wednesday I went to see Joell Ortiz's CD release party for The Bodega Chronicles: The Brick at SOBs the other night and I really can't say much else but: Wow he's really that good. Watch the new video for Brooklyn Bullshit, and download Keep On Callin' here, and Hip Hop (remix) featuring Jadakiss & Saigon here.

Beanie Sigel is playing with a live band at Knitting Factory on May 22nd.

Rakim is playing Southpaw?

The Source files for bancruptcy again. (via)

More HIP HOP Beeeeeeeeeeelow.....

Continue reading "Wes' Weekly Hip Hop News Roundup (May 03, 2007)"